Ron Combs, Associate Editor
Feeling "cramped and outdated" in the 1,100 square-foot office that he had occupied since 1977, Dr. Mark J. Brunswick jumped at the chance to acquire an additional 600 square feet of space when it became available in his professional building. "When the space next to mine became vacant, I decided it was a good opportunity to expand and modernize the office," explains the Venice, Florida, practitioner. "Incorporating the adjoining suite with my existing space, of course, required a complete redesign of the entire office."
The doctor called upon T.H.E. Design of Austin, Texas, for an efficient space layout and then worked with architect James Soller to finalize the office plan and construction drawings. During the three months of construction, Dr. Brunswick temporarily relocated his practice to an office that had been vacated by another dentist.
"The effect I wanted was one of subtle elegance," Dr. Brunswick remarks as he points first to the etched doors leading to the consultation room and treatment area and then to the architectural interest afforded by the offsets in the exterior walls. "The doors were etched by a local artist who also etched the sidelight by the entrance door with a design incorporating our logo." On the wall that is offset between operatories one and two hangs a piece of oriental embroidery that serves as a focal point for what otherwise would have been "a rather long, boring hallway."
Dr. Brunswick commented about other features of the office:
- All operatories have at least one floor-to-ceiling window for natural light.
- In each operatory cabinet (designed by the doctor), drop-slots in the countertop allow quick disposal of sharps and biohazardous waste into containers inside the cabinet.
- The computers in the operatories are networked with the reception area and business office for posting of completed treatment and scheduling appointments.
"One thing I would recommend to anyone building or renovating an office is zoned heating and cooling for each work area. I have each operatory on its own thermostat as well as the business office, reception area and employee lounge for a total of seven zones. This system, alone, is responsible for a marked reduction of stress in our office."
